Md. Mosabbir Ali, back from Madhabkunda :
Madhabkunda waterfall is a most favourite destination for tourists especially during the Eid holidays or special days. But, now extreme nuisance of teenagers and young tiktokers hare increased in the last few days at the waterfall. This caused Madhabkunda waterfall in Barlekha Upazila of Moulvibazar becoming unsafe.
In 2001, an eco-park was established in a 500-acres area with a view to conserving biodiversity in the area around the waterfall.
Some adolescents are also climbing to the top of the hill with the risk of death by evading the eyes of the police to make tiktok videos. A few such videos also have been spread on Facebook. They have also been accused of harassing and physically abusing tourists. Tourists visiting Madhabkunda are embarrassed due to the annoyance of tiktokers. It also raises questions about the safety of tourists. But police say they are always working for the safety of tourists.
Sajjad Mia, a trader of Madhabkunda waterfall area said, not only me but all the traders here are in the same situation. Our family depends on tourists. As tourists have descended on Madhabkunda waterfall during the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday and special days. Every day people from different parts of the country is coming to Madhabkunda along with the surrounding districts and upazilas.
He said, on this occasion, teenagers and young tiktokers from different areas of Barlekha and surrounding upazilas are coming to visit Madhabkunda. They are harassing the tourists visiting here in various ways. They are filming some female tourists taking baths in the waterfall. They are talking to the tourists.
Besides, they are climbing the hill with the risk of death by evading the eyes of the police to make a tiktok video, he added.
Meanwhile, on Friday(May 8th) afternoon, locals said, some tourists visiting Kulaura and Juri at Madhabkanda waterfall were drenched with water by tiktokers. There was a conversation between them. Later they beat the tourists. At that time, the locals kept the tiktokers in the local union Parishad.
Enam Uddin, chairman of Dakshinbhag Uttar Union Parishad said, on Saturday (May 8th) afternoon that some tourists visiting Kulaura and Jari in Madhabkunda were soaked by the tiktokers. The tiktokers started arguing and later beat them. The locals brought them to the union Parishad. Later, they were released on bail, leaving them to fend for themselves.
Tourist Jahangir Hossain, who came to visit Madhabkunda, said that the number of tiktokers has increased in Madhabkunda lately. As a result, the environment of Madhabkunda is becoming unsafe.
When I visited there, I seen huge tiktokers standing and making videos. In this situation, female tourists were embarrassed. Action needs to be taken against them.
On condition of anonymity, some traders of the local Madhabkunda area said that every day teenagers come here and make videos. They are harassing tourists. Speaking offensive language. Many protested. Many do not speak in fear again. Tourists are embarrassed by their harassment.
Another trader Jasim Uddin said, if we speak against them, they will attack us later. So we do not protest. The police are not taking any action against them. However, some female tourists were harassed on Friday afternoon.
Advocate Subimol Lyngdohkiri, a resident of the area and assistant public prosecutor of Moulvibazar court said, Madhabkunda waterfall is a most favourite destination for tourists, especially during the Eid holidays or special days. But, now it is safe heaven for extreme nuisance tiktokers and becoming unsafe for tourists, especially women tourists.
We are always working to ensure that tourists are not harassed in any way, said Khairul Islam, sub-inspector (SI) in charge of Madhabkunda tourist police. He said we are warning those who try to get up.
In this regard, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khandaker Mudassir Bin Ali said, many tourists have been gathering here since the day of Eid. Tourist police are working there for the safety of tourists. A mobile court was also set up for the safety of tourists.
